THE BULKELEY FAMILY
OF
BARON HILL

BANGOR UNIVERSITY
HOLD VARIOUS DOCUMENTS
RELATING TO THE BOROUGH OF BEAUMARIS AND 
THE BULKELEY FAMILY OF BARON HILL.
Some of those details appear here.

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF WALES;
BIOGRAPHY ON LINE

BULKELEY family, Anglesey , etc., with its chief Welsh seat at Baron Hill (and Pen-y-parc) by Beaumaris, was one of the most powerful families in North Wales. At the height of its power it had lands in all six commotes of Anglesey, while it had important interests in the Creuddyn peninsula, in the town of Conway, in the eastern and western districts of Arllechwedd; it had much property on the Hirael foreshore in Bangor and in the town of Caernarvon.

By the marriage in 1749 of the 6th viscount to Emma, daughter and heiress of Thomas Rowlands of Caerau, were added the Caerau estate in north-west Anglesey and the Plas-y-nant lands by Betws Garmon that stretched past Rhyd-ddu to the slopes and summit of Snowdon.

In the course of years subsidiary families, younger branches, had grown up, quite important entities, in their own right. Early in the 16th cent. the Bulkeleys of Porthamel, who came to an inglorious end when Francis Bulkeley shot himself at Plas Llangefni in 1714, and the Bulkeleys of Gronant and Dronwy, the second being represented in later days by Sir John Bulkeley of Presaddfed, whose widow married the Rev John Elias, later in the century branched out the Bulkeleys of Brynddu, of whom William the Diarist was the most noteworthy. Then follow the Bulkeleys of Cremlyn, Cleifiog, Plas Goronwy, and Ty'n-y-caeau, more subsidiary still.

The family's ancient home was in north-east Cheshire. The exact date of the migration west is not known, nor is there proof that the first stopping-place was Beaumaris (certain happenings point to Conway). It is safe to say that the Bulkeleys were settled in Anglesey before 1450; two years before that one of them had m. Alice, daughter of Bartholomew de Bolde, a citizen of Conway who had acquired much land on the left bank of the river, a solid nucleus to the Bulkeley lands in Arllechwedd Isaf.

Acquisition of farms in Caernarvonshire and Anglesey went on apace; the family gradually grew in importance, till one of them, RICHARD (d. 1546 or early 1547), was knighted (about 1534), and his brother ARTHUR (d. 1552) became bishop of Bangor.

The greatest of these early knights was undoubtedly the third, RICHARD (d. 1621), head of the family from 1572 to 1621, friend of queen Elizabeth and bitter antagonist to the earl of Leicester's schemes in Wales.

For a generation after his death, the affairs of Baron Hill went under a cloud; the alleged poisoning of the 4th knight (RICHARD, d. 1645), the marriage of his widow to the alleged poisoner Sir Thomas Cheadle, the long-drawn and inconclusive trials at Great Sessions, followed by a number of deaths in the elder line that brought THOMAS (d. 1659), younger son of the third Sir Richard, to be undoubted lord of Baron Hill (so unexpected at one time was this that Thomas had been sent across the Menai to supervise the Bulkeley lands in Arllechwedd, and had at one time thought of emigrating to Virginia).

He was hardly in the saddle when the Civil War broke out, in which he was the natural leader of the king's men in the island of Anglesey. So well did he please the Cavaliers that early in 1644 he was created viscount Bulkeley of Cashel in Ireland. He was one of the chief forces behind the ill-starred Anglesey insurrection of 1648, and stood to lose more by the capitulation and the fine that followed than any of his fellow-islanders: to crown all, he lost his eldest son and heir early in 1650 by the duel on Lavan Sands, which eventually sent Richard Cheadle, son of the alleged poisoner, to the scaffold at Conway castle.

The death of the eldest son and the decimation of the estate pointed rather urgently to a rich marriage for the second son (ROBERT, d. 1659); he married a daughter of a London alderman, with a dowry of £7,000, niece of William Harvey, the distinguished medical scientist of 'circulation' fame, whose shaky signature appears at the foot of the marriage settlement of 1654.

The 2nd viscount's grandson (RICHARD, 4th viscount, d. 1724) was a vigorous personality, but such was the cumulation of offices in his own person that the squires of the western commotes broke out in revolt with Owen Meyrick of Bodorgan as their leader, who fought four county elections with the 4th viscount, failed in 1708 and 1710, won in 1715, lost again in 1722.

The Toryism of the 4th (d. 1724), the 5th (RICHARD, d. 1739), and the 6th (JAMES, d. 1752) viscounts was so rank and high that they were suspected of being Jacobites, a suspicion strengthened by our finding busts of the two Pretenders and of Henry, cardinal York, in the Baron Hill inventory of 1822, and by discovering a secret docket of letters addressed to the head of the family detailing Jacobite fortunes in 1715.

The 7th and last viscount - THOMAS JAMES WARREN BULKELEY - was raised to the peerage of the United Kingdom in 1784, but died without issue in 1822. With him the peerage became extinct, and the long line of Bulkeleys of Baron Hill, that had lasted in unbroken succession for wellnigh four centuries, was at last broken.

Lord Bulkeley was to be followed by his nephew Richard (son of his half-brother Sir ROBERT WILLIAMS, 1764-1830), who received the king's special permission to assume the name of Sir RICHARD BULKELEY WILLIAMS BULKELEY in 1827; he was b. 23 Sept. 1801, and d. 28 Aug. 1875.

Some measure of the Bulkeley influence in Anglesey can be gauged by their having represented, in person or through their nominees, both county and boroughs in Parliament from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 19th cent. They pulled such weight in Caernarvonshire that when the 1st baron Penrhyn in 1796, backed by the whole influence of bishop John Warren, saw well to challenge the re-election of Sir Robert Williams (v.s.), the sitting member, the latter was easily victorious (690: 370). Sir Robert was to be re-elected for Caernarvonshire six times after this election of 1796.

1405 After final destruction of Llanfaes Friary a great stone coffin was found, the heavy lid carved with a representation of the tragic Princess Joan, wife of Llywelyn the Great. The coffin was removed to the grounds of Baron Hill, the 17th Century mansion of the Bulkeley family. It is now preserved in the parish church of St Mary at Beaumaris. 

The Bulkeley family of Baron Hill, Beaumaris in Anglesey, north Wales, migrated from their ancient home in Cheshire and settled in north Wales sometime before 1450.

The Bulkeley family acquired land in Caernarfonshire and Anglesey and grew to become one of the most powerful and influential political dynasties in the area representing, in person or through their nominees, the borough of Beaumaris or county of Anglesey from the 16th to the 19th century. 

William Bulkeley of Cheadle, constable of Beaumaris Castle in 1440 and one of the first Bulkeleys of Anglesey had sons Edmund and Rowland; the descendants of his son Edmund were mostly associated with Ireland; Rowland became the ancestor of the main line of Bulkeleys of Baron Hill. 

1474 William Bulkeley built Hen Blas, a medieval mansion. It became their family home until Baron Hill was built. (see 1618)

Deed of lease by the mayor, aldermen etc. of Beaumaris to Bartholomew Bulkeley of Beaumaris, upon lands and houses, 1470;

Deed of mortgage by John Stanley to Edmund and Rowland Bulkeley, on lands in the townships of Cerriggwyddyl, Bodweiliog and Dinsylwy, 1476

In 1490, William Bulkeley died, leaving £20 in his will for a tomb for him and his wife.

About 1534 Richard Bulkeley (died 1546 or early 1547) was knighted and his brother Arthur (died 1552) became bishop of Bangor.
Other well known early family members include, Thomas Bulkeley of Plas Goronwy, recorder of the borough of Beaumaris and its parliamentary representative, who was a son of the first Sir Richard Bulkeley and married to Catherine, daughter of David Lloyd of Marian Heilin, Llanddyfnan

Last will and testament of Rowland Bulkeley of Baron Hill, 1537 

5th April 1539 Sir Richard Bulkeley wrote to the King's secretary Thomas Cromwell that "The royal castles of North Wales are unfurnished and have neither guns nor powder, nor other artillery, apart from eight or ten small pieces in Bewmares possessed by the writer. Has provided three barrels of gunpowder, some shot, forty bows, and forty sheaves of arrows, with as many coats of fence and sallets and splinters, at his own cost; this is inadequate for such a fortress. Conwey, Carn, and Hardlach castles have nothing in them to defend them for one hour. If enemies secure them "hit wold cost his majestie a hundreth thowsand of his pounds and the losse of mayny a man affor' they shuld be gotten again". Anglesey is but a night's sailing from Scotland….. beseeches a couple of gunners and some good ordnance and powder to defend the King's house in Biwmares"".   (see 1609)

Last will and testament of Sir Richard Bulkeley of Beaumaris, 1st knight, 1544 

In 1562 The borough was entitled to return its own Member of Parliament. The Bulkeleys gave the 'seat' to one of its family or to nominee prepared to vote as instructed

Deed of lease by mayor of Beaumaris, Hugh Goodman, the bailiffs and burgesses of Beaumaris to Sir Richard Bulkeley of Baron Hill, 2nd knight, upon property in Llan-faes etc, 1568.
 
The second knight, Richard (died 1572) was twice married, firstly to Margaret Savage and then to Anne Needham. Lancelot Bulkeley (died 1650), a son from the second marriage was archbishop of Dublin and his son William Bulkeley (died c. 1672) was archdeacon of Dublin. 

In 1577 Piracy was rife. Bardsey Island was as much the haunt of pirates as it had once been of saints. At Beaumaris, Sir Richard Bulkeley was not above giving his support to Hugh Griffith, a native of Cefn Amlwch in Llyn and perhaps the most cruel sea-robber of them all. Sir Richard Bulkeley's younger brother Edward turned pirate, met his death on the pirate infested Barbary coast of north Africa.

Indenture between Dr Ellis Price of Plas Iolyn, high sheriff of Anglesey and the corporation of Beaumaris sanctioning the appointment of Thomas Bulkeley, recorder of the borough, as M.P. for the boroughs. Notice of the election of Thomas Bulkeley, 1593 

In 1609 Parts of Harlech and Caernarfon castles were still usable, but Beaumaris and Conway castles were officially classed as "utterlie decayed". Thomas Viscount Bulkeley was alleged to have spent £3,000 in repairing the castle in aid of Charles I early in the Civil War.   (see 1643)

The third knight Richard Bulkeley (died 1621) was constable of Beaumaris Castle. He built Baron Hill in 1618 and was the first mayor of Beaumaris. 

Decree of the court of wards in a case relating to the will of Sir Richard Bulkeley (died 1621) and certain indentures which seemed to conflict with the will, 1622-1623 

Petition of Mary Bulkeley, widow of Sir Richard Bulkeley (died 1621), to the court of wards and liveries, 1623

Thomas Bulkeley (1585-1659) who was constable of Beaumaris Castle, c. 1640, succeeded to the Baron Hill estate on the death of his nephew Richard Bulkeley c. 1639-40, the son of the fourth knight Sir Richard Bulkeley, who apparently died from poisoning ?c. 1630/45.

Petition of Dorothy Bulkeley, widow of Richard Bulkeley of Whatcroft, c. 1641-1642

In 1643, Thomas Bulkeley, who later became Lord Bulkeley was appointed Constable of the Castle. (see 1643)

14th June 1646, For the town of Beaumaris, the eventual victory of the parliament culminated with the surrender of the castle by Co. Richard Bulkeley to General Thomas Mytton, ' Beaumaris being a place that hath been a very great use to the King. The Castle surrendered to Parliament and its active life was at an end. (see 1646)

Letters written during the Civil War, from Arthur Capell to Dr John Williams, Archbishop of York, 1643-1644 and from archbishop Williams to Thomas Bulkeley of Baron Hill, 1644, 1645-1646, etc.

1650 Colonel Richard Bulkeley, who had defended the castle for the King, was killed, fighting a duel on the Lavan Sands. The duel was fought to avenge his father whom he bellieved had been poisoned by his stepfather, Thomas Cheadle.

1653 Thomas Cheadle was hanged in Conway for the murder of Co. Richard Bulkeley

Levy of a fine at the Great Sessions of Caernarfonshire relating to Thomas Bulkeley (1585-1659), constable of Beaumaris Castle, 1654

Deed of appointment of Robert Bulkeley as constable of Beaumaris Castle, 1660 

Last will and testament of William Bulkeley, archdeacon of Dublin, 1671-1672 

Proclamation from Robert Bulkeley and others to the high constables of the hundred of Talybolion regarding the summoning of the militia, 1683, 1689

Returns of Richard 3rd Viscount Bulkeley as knight of the shire for Anglesey, 1695, 1698, 1701, 1702 

Returns for Richard 4th Viscount Bulkeley, 1705

Recital of the financial difficulties of Francis Bulkeley of Porthaml and Plas Llangefni, 1722

GATHERING THE JEWELS

Diary of William Bulkeley, Brynddu, Llanfechell,
vol. 1, 1734-43
taken from Gathering the Jewels

The following pages have been selected from the first volume of the diary of William Bulkeley (1691-1760), Brynddu, Llanfechell, Anglesey. He was the son of William Bulkeley and Lettice Jones of Llangoed, and a descendant of Sir Richard Bulkeley of Baron Hill, Sheriff of Anglesey in 1596. William Bulkeley's diaries consist of three volumes, but unfortunately the second volume (1743-7) is missing. The diaries are extremely valuable for their vivid portrait of Anglesey life in the eighteenth century. They include accounts of farm life, wages, prices etc., and not a day passed without William Bulkeley noting very carefully which way the wind blew! Selected extracts from his diary have been transcribed by J. E. Griffith, see 'Transactions of the Anglesey Antiquarian Society' (1931). On the first page of the first volume of his diary (March 1734), William describes the work which was undertaken on his land. He planted many seeds and trees.

Diary entry for 1-6 April 1734. William notes that the fruit trees are all in full blossom. On 6 April, William received a warrant from the sheriff's bailiff instructing him to appear on the Grand Jury of the Anglesey Court of Great Sessions at Beaumaris

Diary entry for 31 May to 4 June 1734. On 31 May, Richard Williams Carrog came to visit. William notes that he was 'very drunk' and 'was so troublesome that cousin Henry Hughes & I were forced to leave him by himself to get rid of him'. On 4 June, a quoiting match was held at Llanfechell. William went to the cock-fight at Llandyfrydog, where eight silver spoons were offered as prizes.

Diary for the period 26-31 August 1734. On 26 August, William notes that the weather was extremely rough. Despite the weather, William employs a number of men to reap the barley during the week. On 28 August he gave his daughter's maid a shilling to attend the funeral of Mrs Anne Williams, Llanfaethlu. On 29 August, William's dog was bitten by a viper. William killed the snake before removing its fat. He then melted the fat and applied it to the swelling.

Diary for the period 10-15 January 1735. On 14 January, William attended the funeral of Mrs Lloyd of Rhosbeirio. He gave some money to the parson and sexton. William notes that it is traditional to offer gifts over the coffin. There were six bearers at the funeral whom William describes as wearing 'scarfs, alamode silk hatbands, & gloves'.

Diary for the period 22-24 April 1735. William travels from Caernarfon to Beaumaris where he will take part in the Court of Great Sessions. The jury is called and returned by Hugh Price.

Diary for the period 24-26 April 1735. William attended the court at Beaumaris, where he was sworn in as one of the jurors. He writes that he 'paid the ordinary custom of dropping a shilling in the glove upon being sworn'. The following day a cattle fair was held at Llannerch-y-medd, which William describes as 'the poorest fair ... as hath been seen in the memory of man'. The Judge, Grand Jury and court officials dined at the Bull's Head, Beaumaris. The Court reconvened the following day and heard a number of criminal cases. Two of the convicted were ordered to be burnt in their hands, while John Prichard, a burglar and felon, was condemned to be hanged.

Diary for the period 26-31 May 1735. On 26 May, William walked to Cemais where he bought ten gallons of brandy. He notes that only six or seven people were present at the evening service at Llanfechell church owing to 'the Ridiculous & immorrall Custom of Acting Interludes on this day drawing people's servants not only from Church, but from attending at home, so on those occasions, in a manner all ye houses in ye parish may be found without a soul in them or about them'

Llanfechell Church by kind permission of Rev Canon Geraint W. Edwards (click here for access to its webpage)

Diary for the period 7-11 February 1737. On 9 June, William notes that: 'Fevers and Pleurisies are mighty common and Epidemicall in the Countrey'. In certain parishes on the island of Anglesey, they are burying the dead every day.

Diary for the period 25-31 December 1737. On Christmas Day 1737, William writes that many people attended the early-morning or 'plygain' service at the church.

Diary for the period 22-24 March 1739. On 22 March, William received a letter asking him to be one of the bearers at the funeral of Lord Bulkeley, Baron Hill, Beaumaris. On 24 March, William rode to Beaumaris: he left Brynddu at half past five in the morning and arrived at ten o'clock. He cleaned his boots then put on his 'best wig'. He went to Baron Hill where he was led into the 'Mourning Room', before joining the other bearers.

Diary entry for 24 March 1739. William describes the scene at the funeral of Lord Bulkeley, Baron Hill, Beaumaris.

Diary entry for 24 March 1739. William describes the scene at the funeral of Lord Bulkeley, Baron Hill, Beaumaris.
Diary for the period 24-30 July 1740. On 26 July, William notes that there were 'very few people in Llanfechell church occasioned by the old superstition of people of all sexes and ages going to Llanelian wakes to visit a dry skull, scraping an old stone and playing other Jugling tricks in the myfyr & ye Cwppwrdd'.

Diary for the period 2-4 April 1742. On 4 April, William went to Llangefni 'to meet the corps of Mrs Meyric of Bodorgan who dyed in London and which is to be deposited in a Vault at Llangadwaladr'. William describes the funeral procession from Llangefni to Llangadwaladr.

Diary for the period 4 April 1742. William describes the funeral of Mrs Meyric of Bodorgan who was buried in a vault at Llangadwaladr. William had been in the vault some eight years ago and describes it as being 'about 4 yards square, arched at top with brick, which is supported in the middle by a square pillar of brick, and as high as most men's heads, there is a bench quite round it (except at the stairs that comes down to it) cut out of Rock, and broad enough for any Coffin, there was in it then 3 coffins, that of Mr Wm Meyrick of Cefn Coch, those of Mr Philip and Eyton Meyrick, 2 sons of Mr Edmund Meyrick of Trefri, and not the least ill smell in it'. William refers to an 'extraordinary' discovery on the opening of the vault when one of the coffins was found to have moved.

Diary for the period 19-23 April 1742. On 20 April, William paid for feed for his cock which was to fight the following day for silver tumblers. He gave tuppence to a boy who brought him a raven. The following day, William set out 'for Rhydpont cocking'.  

Baron Hill 1799

23rd September 1801, Richard Bulkeley was born. He was 10th knight was M.P. for Anglesey, high sheriff in 1870 and lord lieutenant of Caernarfon 1851-1866.

In 1805, Lord Bulkeley constructed a new road through his land in order to provide a more direct line of communication to Bangor. It cost some £3,000. (see 1826)

In 1807, the Castle ruins were brought from the crown by the sixth Lord Bulkeley. (see 1832)

2nd June 1808,  The North Wales Gazette advised visitors to take the Garth Ferry 'to Lord Bulkeley's road......hanging over the sea to Beaumaris' (see30.01.1826)

Correspondence between Sir Richard Williams-Bulkeley with James Sparrow and Mr. Asheton Smith of Faenol, relating to controversy over the most economical way of running packet boats from Holyhead to Dublin, 1832

  In 1816, The Loyal Bulkeley Lodge of the Oddfellows Friendly Society set up in the town, a society who gave support to members at times of unexpected loss of earnings.
In 1821, Almost a third of all the town's families depended on the land for their livelihood. Those working on the Baron Hill estate were paid 1/- a day.

CHOBHAM PARK

1822 - Between 1810 and 1822 the owner of Chobham Park was Lord Bulkeley and the tenant farmer Maurice Burchet. When Lord Bulkeley died in 1822 he bequeathed Chobham Park House to his nephew, Sir Richard Williams Bulkeley [1801-1874c] M.P. for Anglesey and Lord Lieutenant of Carnarvon. However, the usage and benefits continued with the 7th Viscount's widow, Elizabeth, until her death at Englefield Green on 23 February 1826 aged sixty-six. At this date the tenant farmer in physical occupation of Chobham Park House was John Daborn.

Prior to this, between 1734 and 1752 Chobham Park House is said to have been owned by Mr Revel MP. In 1777, Revel's granddaughter married the 7th Viscount Bulkeley of Cashel [1752-1822]. Curiously, although Lord Bulkeley still owned the Chobham Park House Estate at the time of his death in 1822, the land tax returns for 1798 show the 'owner' as Sir William Abdy bt., and the tenant farmer as James Collyer, who paid annual land tax for it of £19 13s 0d. Although this anomaly cannot be resolved, it is quite possible that the Abdy family held a sub interest in the property and estate.

In 1826, Edward Pugh in his Cambria Depicta, described the new road built in 1805, as 'doing away with the necessity of going by a circuitous route and at the same time avoids very great and tedious steeps'

Lord Bulkeley's new road was most important to the town, but its condition had deteriorated considerably by 1827.

In 1827, A turnpike trust was approved, following an application by local dignitaries to Parliament about the state of Lord Bulkeley's road. The road was improved and widened from the revenue derived from the tolls levied on road users.Income from the turnpike tolls were £193.

1831 - Many shipwrecks occurred around Anglesey. One such example was that of the Rothsay Castle in 1831, which had a connection with the town of Beaumaris. The local MP and landowner, Sir Richard Williams Bulkeley, raised funds for the survivors and for the burying of the dead. He sent his workers to look for bodies washed up on the mainland of Conway, Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan.

May 1836, Baron Hill badly damaged by fire. 

1838, Baron Hill fully restored after a fire in 1836.

In 1838 Sir Richard Williams Bulkeley sold the Chobham Place Estate, including Chobham Park House, to the politician, Sir Denis Le Marchant [1795-1874]. 

1840,  Those working on the Baron Hill estate were paid 1/4d a day, 8/- a week.

1841 BARON HILL CENSUS
 
BARON HILL
Bulkeley family not in residence

George Eaton 30 Male servant
Edward Coates 25 Male servant
Jane Hughes 55 Female servant
Jane Jones 25 Female servant
Margaret Jones 25 Female servant

Sir Richard Bulkeley 39 and family, consisting of wife Maria 30 and children Richard 8, Robert 5 and Thomas 1 were residing at Cavendish Square, St Marylebone at the time of the census.

BARON HILL LODGE
John Parry 35 Agricultural labourer
Susana Parry 32 wife
John Parry 9 son
Elizabeth Parry 7 daughter
Ellinor Parry 3 daughter
Mary Parry 2 daughter
Henry Parry 5 months son

1842, 18 acres of freehold land called Caeau Mair were purchased by Sir Williams-Bulkeley raising money for the council to move ahead with plans to build a pier. 

1842, Street markets were difficult to control, so the council used part of the income derived from the sale of Caeau Mair to purchase a permanent site for a market place in the former stable block of Hen Blas, the medieval house of the Bulkeley family.

1843, Lady Bulkeley laid the foundation stone for the pier. A general holiday was declared for the day and a grand procession marched throught town. Toll collector appointed  at 10/- a week during summer and 5/- during winter.

1850s, Baron Hill, reputedly the first house in Anglesey to be lit by gas. (see 1852) 

1851 BARON HILL CENSUS
 
BARON HILL
BULKELEY FAMILY NOT IN RESIDENCE
James Phelps 32 Husbandman (Scotland)
John Williams 25 Groom (Cornwall)
Edward Coots 35 Groom (Baston Mills, Suffolk)
Mary Ashley 35 House servant (Staffordshire)
Margaret Jones 30 House servant (Beaumaris)
Ann Coots 23 House servant (London)
Grace Owens 20 House servant (Beaumaris)
Elizabeth Kirby 26 House servant (Northampton)

Richard Bulkeley 49 and wife Maria 39 were living at 87 Eaton Square, Belgrave during the 1851 census. He is recorded as Baronet, M.P. and Lord Lieutenant of County of Caernarfon.

BARON HILL LODGE   

Thomas Roberts 26 Gardener (Beaumaris)
Ellen Roberts 22 wife (Llaniolen, Caernarfonshire)
Catherine Roberts 6 months daughter (Llanfaes)
William Roberts 17 visitor gentleman's servant (Beaumaris)
THOMAS GOODMAN ROBERTS WAS MY GREAT, GREAT GRANDFATHER. HE IS PICTURED HERE SOME 30 YEARS AFTER THIS CENSUS AT 30 WEXHAM STREET, BEAUMARIS

1855-56 Amongst the parties named in the deeds relating to Tyn y Llwyfan, dated 1855-1856, are Sir Richard Bulkeley-Williams Bulkeley (1801-1875), and his son Sir Richard Lewis Mostyn Williams-Bulkeley (1833-1884) of the Baron Hill Estate, Anglesey.

In 1858, Even numbered houses on New Street were built by the Town Council. Odd numbered houses on the opposite side of the road were owned by the Baron Hill estate.

1861 BARON HILL CENSUS
 
BARON HILL
R. W. Bulkeley 59 Baronet (Marylebone)
Myra Williams Bulkeley 49 (Marylebone)
Charlie Oates 39 Butler (Shofforth)
Edwards Cooke 45 Stud groom (Suffolk, Baston Mills)
George Eagle 30 Under butler (Middlesex, Twickenham)
Alexander Stephens 20 Servant (Oakbrook, Derbyshire)
William Bell 28 Servant (Hants, Rumsey)
John Taylor 32 Servaant (Somerset, Bath)
Eugene Toulons 34 Cook (Native of France)
James Stockwell 23 Servant (Buckinghamshire, Chalfont)
Elizabeth Norman 43 Servant (Devon, Buckland)
Jane Teuton 33 Servant (Northumberland, Newcastle)
Margaret Jones 48 Laundrymaid (Beaumaris)
Jane Jones 48 Servant (Beaumaris)
Laura Roberts 36 House maid (Bangor)
Elizabeth Griffiths 26 House maid (Llanengan)
Jane Williams 19 Servant (Llaniestyn)
Elizabeth Wilson 32 Dairy maid (Nottinghamshire)
Elizabeth Edwards 23 Stillroom maid (Montgomeryshire, Llanfair)
Margaret Hapill 22 Servant (Beaumaris)
Emma Fish 20 Servant (Suffolk)
Ann Grenbich 23Servant (Essex, West Harwood)

BARON HILL LODGE
Henry Jones 37 gardener (Beaumaris)
Jane Jones 34 wife (Llanfair)
Henry Cooper Jones 10 son (Beaumaris)
Margaret Jones 6 daughter (Llanfaes)
Richard Jones 3 son (Llanfaes)
Mary Jones 1 daughter (Llanfaes)

In 1861, An appeal to Sir Richard Williams-Bulkeley resulted in the gift of a two acre site to the town to use as a non-denominational cemetery. The churchyard was closed from 1 July except for the burial of near relations of those already buried there.

Letter issued on behalf of Richard Bulkeley Williams-Bulkeley, then M.P. for Anglesey, relating to the possible candidacy of his son Captain Richard Lewis Mostyn Williams-Bulkeley with the Liberal Party in the event of his retirement, 1861

Sir Richard Williams-Bulkeley established the town's fire brigade in 1862. It was the first in Anglesey. The engine was horse drawn and the volunteer firemen had the right to commandeer the nearest horses on call out. The volunteers were paid 1/- for attending the monthly fire drill and loss of earnings when on fire duty. 

In 1869, Hen Blas, the former home of the Bulkeleys, was demolished.

In 1870, Presbytarian Church built on the corner of Margaret Street and Church Street, on the site of Hen Blas, former residency of the Bulkeley family, at a cost of £1.017.

1871 BARON HILL CENSUS
 
BARON HILL
Sir Richard B. W. Bulkeley 69, Baronet and landowner
(St Marylebone,Middlesex)
Maria Williams Bulkeley 63 (Eatham, Cheshire)
Richard H. W. Bulkeley grandson 8 (St George, Hanover Square, London)
George Austin 61 Butler (Walton on Naze)
Richard Jones 27 Valet (Shropshire)
John Dabby 29 Under butler  (Suffolk)
John Maught 25 Footman (Burlington, Worcestershire)
James Austin 24 Footman (Kent)
Charles Llay 23 2nd Coachman (Marlybourne, Middlesex)
George Kirk 18 Groom (Holkham, Norfolk)
William Hughes 20 Steward Room servant (Anglesey, Llanddona)
Chiarli 51 Cook (Naples)
Charlotte Ryan 30 Housekeeper (Ireland, Dublin)
Elizabeth Goodlands 28 Lady's maid (Thiple Hay)
Maria Cipt 22 nurse (Twip)
Margaret McAskill 28 Servant (Sutherlandshire)
Jane Williams 33 Servant (London)
Mary Murray 28 Servant (Barr, Ayrshire)
Emily Hurse 23 Servant (Norfolk)
Elizabeth Jones 19 Servant (Llandyfan, Anglesey)
Mary Hughes 20 Servant (Llanfaes, Anglesey)
Elizabeth Williams 23 Servant (Pentraeth, Anglesey)
Elizabeth Hillon 23 Servant (Newton Abbott, Devonshire)
Mary Millington 16 Servant (Childen Norton, Cheshire))
Elizabeth Williams 17 Servant (Penmon, Anglesey)

BARON HILL LODGE
Elizabeth Lloyd 48 widow,Lodge keeper to Sir RW Bulkeley JP (Beaumaris)

1875, Sir Richard Bulkeley Williams Bart died. A memorial to him was built  on the crest of a hill behind the town. A bronze plate in the pedestal describes memorial...

'Erected in honour of Sir Richard Bulkeley Williams Bart, of Baron Hill by his tenants, neighbours and friends who cherish his memory. As a pioneer of agriculture, he was energetic and munificent. He was always ready to promote the welfare and the enjoyment of all around him, and so fulfilled the various duties of his station as to win the affection and respect of his countrymen'.

Sir Richard Williams Bulkeley (1862-1942), 12th Baronet, was Lord Lieutenant of Anglesey and a commander in the Royal Anglesey Militia. 

1880,  Income from the turnpike tolls (Lord Bulkeley's Road) was £249 - £193 in 1828

1881 BARON HILL CENSUS
 
BARON HILL
Sir R.W. Bulkeley 47 J.P. (London)
Margaret Bulkeley 42 wife (London)
Bridget Bulkeley 10 daughter (London)
Hope Williams 31, brother in law Manager of acres (Bisham, Berkshire)
Florence Williams 25, sister in law (Blandford, Dorset)
Henrietta Barker 20, governess (London)
Henry Berridge 36, Butler (Shipingley)
William Tees 29. Under Butler (Chelemast)
Thomas Tullet 27 First footman (Harsham, Sussex)
George Wilmsby 32 Second footman (Wem, Shropshire)
Richard Parry 25 Second coachman (Penmon, Anglesey)
John Williams 29 Butler (Menai Bridge, Anglesey)
Frank Luddow 17 Butler, Pony boy groom, domestic  (Marlybone)
William Jones 16, Pony boy groom domestic (Salford)
Mary Ann E. Gwineth 39, Housekeeper (?)
Elizabeth Tapson 28, Lady's maid (Tipton, Devon)
Charlotte Stevens 26, House maid (Bampton)
Mary Hughes 30, Housemaid (Llanfaes, Anglesey)
Frances Chivers 26, Housemaid (Chatsworth)
Annie Walker 22, Housemaid (Leeds)
Sarah Poole 24 Laundrymaid (Cardistones)
Sarah Jones 21 Laundrymaid (Llangylyngan)
Elizabeth Jones 23 Laundrymaid (Eglwys bach)
Ellen Lewis 22  Stillroom maid (Beaumaris)
Sarah Ann Moorwood 22 Kitchenmaid (Netherwhiarne)?
Bettie Flemington 21 Scullerymaid (Mortins)?
Josephine Gwinor 22 Lady's maid (Ingon)?
Rosingard Paul 28 Cook (Carlis)?
Thomas Lyons 22 Gardener  (Hoole)

BARON HILL LODGE
Richard Davies 62 Agricultural labourer (Llanfihangel Esgeifiog)
Jane Davies 61 wife (Amlwch)

1881, Temperance Hotel opened by Lady Bulkeley. Proprietor was Owen Rowlands. The hotel encouraged the virtues of teetotalism. (see 1895)

1883, December 4th, - an illuminated address was presented  to Sir Richard Williams Bulkeley of Baron Hill on his coming of age, by the tenants of the estate and other well wishers. Inset are lists of the committee, subscribers etc.

1884 saw the death of Sir Richard Lewis Mostyn Williams-Bulkeley, the 11th knight a captain in the Royal Horse Guards.

In 1885, Sir Richard Williams Bulkeley married Lady Magdalen Yorke, (born 1865), daughter of Charles, 5th earl of Hardwicke. They had four children, Richard Gerard Wellesley (born 1888), Generis Alma Windham (born 1889), Eira Helen (born 1891) and Siriol Penelope Diana (born 1902).

1891 BARON HILL CENSUS

Baron Hill East Lodge
Jane Davies 72, widow, Lodge Keeper (Amlwch)

Baron Hill Bailiffs House
Adam Thompson 43, Estate Bailiff (Scotland)
Maggie Thompson 43 wife (Scotland)
John Thompson 16 son (Ireland)
Robert Thompson 14 son (Ireland)
Maude Thompson 11 daughter (Anglesey - Llanfaes)
Eveline M. Thompson 6 daughter (Anglesey - Llanfaes)
Mary Thomas 19, general servant (Anglesey - Llanfair Mathafarn Eithaf)

Baron Hill at the turn of the century

 1901 BARON HILL CENSUS
 
BARON HILL
Head of household is noted as absent.
Generis Alma Bulkeley 11 daughter (London)
Eira Helen Βulkeley  10 daughter (London)
Pauline Boxhorn 39 Governess, domestic (Foreign subject - Austrian)
Annie Mackeeg 46 housekeeper (Surrey, Croydon)
Marie Pourain 20 ladies maid  (Foreign subject - Frencch)
Mary Jane Dunn 28 housemaid (Northumberland)
Mimie Agnes Shaw 35 stillroom maid (Northampton town)
Emily Tomkiss 23 housemaid (Staffordshire)
Nelli Clarissa Wade 18 housemaid (London)
Mary Agnes Regan 23 kitchenmaid (Scotland, Grahamstown)
Charlotte Rosina Bearington 18 schoolroom maid (Cambridgeshire, Wimploe)
L. John Constable 29 Butler (Sussex, Lower Buding)
Eugine Neynick 29 Chef (Foreign subject - France)
Albert Harry Smith 25 footman (Surrey, Virginia Water)
Edward Walter Claydon 23 footman (uncertain)
Sidney Sully 16 Hall boy (Liverpool, St Mary's)
Albert Delaze 19 scullery man (Foreign subject - France)

Magdaline W Bulkeley 34 is recorded as a vistor  in 1 Devonshire Street, Princes Park, Liverpool, Lancashire, in the home of Anthony G Lyster 48, a Civil Engineer (Holyhead, Anglesey) and his wife Frances 36, (Newtown, Montgomeryshire) during the 1901 census.
Sir Richard Bulkely may have been abroad as he cannot be located in 1901.

KEEPERS LODGE;
Robert Thompson 42 Gamekeeper (Scotland)
Sarah Thompson 34 wife (Norfolk)
Edith Mary Thompson 8 daughter (Llanfaes)
James Sam Thompson 6 son (Llanfaes)
John Thompson 3 son (Llanfaes)
Henry Thompson 1 son (Llanfaes)

KEEPER'S LODGE;
Adam Thompson 51 Estate Bayliff (Scotland)
Margaret 51 wife (Scotland)
Robert Thompson 24 son, Ship's Stewart (Ireland)
Maude Thompson 21 daughter Pupil teacher (Llanfaes)
Eireline Thompson 16 scholar (Llanfaes)

LODGE
Joseph Ball 78 working on the drives (Cheshire - Thornton le Moors)
Ellen Ball 74 wife (Cheshire - Plemstall)
 

1903 - All motor cars had to be registered with the County Council. Only 13 cars were registered in Anglesey this year. five of the earliest belonged to local people; Sir Richard Bulkeley (EY 1), James Burton (EY 2 and EY 3), Samuel Chadwick of Haulfre, Llangoed (EY 4 and EY 5), Thomas Hampton Lewis of Henllys and William Massey of Cornelyn - all men of considerable wealth. Motor cars cost more than the price of a modest house and were expensive to run.

1908 -  New Crown Post Office built by Sir Richard Bulkeley was opened in Church Street and leased to the Post Office for £66 per annum.

Two shops demolished to make way for it; George Warmsley. Tobacconist and Hairdresser, and Lewis Owen, Cycle Dealer. The Postmaster's salary was raised  to £117 when the office opened, as he was responsible for an establishment of 2 town postmen, 6 rural letter-carriers, 4 telegram boys, 2 sorting clerks and 3 female telegraphists  

Baron Hill 1908

Gwyngyll United Choir entertain at Baron Hill in 1909

Baron Hill Lodge, around 1911

1914 - Two Belgians employed at Baron Hill were arrested as spies.

1920 -  Houses owned by the Baron Hill estate on New Street were offered up for sale. Nos 1 - 11, each having three bedrooms, fetched £120 apiece. Some cottages on Chapel Street were sold for as little as £50.

1920 - The Williams-Bulkeley Hotel was sold for £5,000.

1925 -  Castle handed over by the Bulkeley family to the Ministry of Works for its preservation as an ancient monument. Work removing ivy from walls and debris from moat commenced.

1940 -  Sir Richard Williams-Bulkeley died (born 1862)

1945 - After the Second World War, Baron Hill was left to deteriorate - now derelict.

LITERARY LIAISONS LTD
Click on title to visit the Literary Liasons, Ltd site.

 I am very grateful to Michelle Prima for permission to use this fascinating article.

Status was just as important in the servant hierarchy as it was in the aristocratic ranks. Servants were divided into 'Upper' and 'Under' ranks.  Upper ranks were entitled to respect and deference from the under staff.  Upper rank servants would take the head places at dinner, unless they ate separately in the Steward's or Housekeeper's rooms.  Visiting servants were seated according to the ranks of their master or mistress.  Thus, a countess's lady's maid would be seated above a baroness's lady's maid, but both would be seated above a viscountess's under servants.  Another class of servant was the 'senior' class. These servants were of neither 'Upper' or 'Under' rank.  They were accorded some of the same privileges as the upper servants, such as being waited upon by the under ranks and eating with the upper servants.  But they rarely had the full privileges of an upper servant, such as the master or mistress's castoff clothing. 

FEMALE SERVANTS

UPPER SERVANTS

Housekeeper--In households where domestics employed number over twenty-five, the housekeeper's sole duty is to engage, manage and dismiss the female servants, with the exception of lady's maid, nurse and cook, whom the mistress engages.  In smaller households, the housekeeper manages the stores, both ordering and dispersing them.  She tends to the house linen, both repairing it and replacing it as necessary.  She supervises the china-closet, the stillroom department, and superintends the arrangement of bedrooms for visitors and their servants.  Her daily routine includes: overlooks the stillroom, sees what china and linen is given out for breakfast, presides over the housekeeper's room breakfast, gives out the stores for the day, assist in washing china, makes rounds of the bedrooms and replaces supplies such as candles, writing paper and soap, makes sure the rooms are clean and in order, presides over the servant's hall dinner, arranges dessert for dinner, makes tea in the afternoon, and makes the coffee for dinner.  She also makes preserves and bottles fruit. She keeps the household accounts, and does most of the needlework.  In smaller households, the cook often assumes the duties of the housekeeper.  

Lady's Maid--A lady's maid attends to her mistress's appearance.  She arranges her hair and assists in dressing her.  She packs and unpacks the mistress when traveling.  She may also make her mistress's dresses.  Depending on the size of the household, she may assume some of the housekeeper's duties.  In a typical day, she: brings up hot water as necessary, brings up tea before breakfast, prepares clothes for dressing, assists the mistress in dressing, puts the room in order, puts out necessities for walking, riding or driving, assists in taking off her outdoor attire, puts evening dress in order, assists in dressing her for dinner, sits up for her, assists in undressing her, puts away her jewels, keeps her wardrobe in repair and washes the lace and fine linens.  She also attends to any pets the mistress may have.

SENIOR SERVANTS

Governess--A governess taught the children of middle and upper class households until they were old enough to go away to school, college, or to a private tutor.  She was generally a well-educated middle-class girl who needed to earn her own living.  But although she was expected to have the bearing and education of a 'lady' she was treated as a servant.  This often left her in limbo--neither an insider or an outsider, as the other servants resented her as too educated and too good for their ranks.    

Nurse--The nurse is in charge of caring for the household's children from the time they are born, until they are turned over to the care of the governess.  She washes and dresses the children, feeds them, takes them on outings, and puts them to bed.  She makes the children's ordinary under-clothing, and repairs their general clothing. Most nurses have dinner brought to them in the nursery, but some dined with the other servants.

UNDER SERVANTS

Cook--In large households, only the cooking proper is the duty of the cook.  All ingredients are prepared for her use by the kitchen maids.  (A man cook takes a higher position and even less of the plain cooking.)  A first-class cook attends to the family breakfast after having her own.  She makes out the menu for luncheon and dinner, which is sometimes reviewed and altered by the mistress.  In town, she orders from the tradespeople who serve the house.  She prepares the soup for the following day, prepares the pastry, jellies, creams and entrees for the day, all in the morning.  The afternoon is usually her free time, unless there is a dinner party or guests.  She then prepares dinner, and once dinner is served, her duties are over for the day. It is also her duty to lock the doors and windows of the basement, to let the kitchen fire burn low, and to turn off the gas in the kitchen and passages before retiring. In smaller households, the cook assumes the duties of the head kitchen-maid and even scullery maid.

Kitchen Maid--In large households, the head kitchen maid is an under-cook and assumes many of the plain-cooking responsibilities.  In small households, the kitchen maid prepares vegetables, game and poultry, does the dairy-work, and bakes the bread.  If there is no stillroom maid, she makes the cakes for luncheon, tea and dessert and the rolls for breakfast.  She keeps the kitchen clean and keeps things in order.  

Housemaid--In large households, the upper housemaid undertook lighter jobs such as making beds and tidying bedrooms.  She made sure rooms were supplied with the necessary linens, and that they were kept in repair.  She dusted the china ornaments, and tended to the flower arrangements.  She kept an eye on the lower housemaids, who would light the fires, clean the living rooms, polish the brass, carry water upstairs for washing, and empty the chamberpots.  Some maids were assigned to specific rooms, such as the still-room, laundry, dairy or nursery.  

Scullery Maid--Her chief duty is to clean and scour the pots and pans, as well as the cooking utensils.  She cleans the scullery, servant's hall, larders, and kitchen passages. She usually dines in the kitchen with the kitchen maid.

MALE SERVANTS

UPPER SERVANTS

House Steward--A House Steward is employed only in larger households where the accounts are too extensive for the Housekeeper to manage.  The House Steward has a sitting-room for his duties of household accounting.  He may also act as a Land Steward.  Those households having Land Stewards give them their own separate dwelling.  The House Steward engages men and women servants, with the exception of the family, ladies' maids, nurses and valet.  He pays their wages and dismisses them.  He orders household goods, pays the household bills and keeps the household books.  He usually submits the household books to his master once a month for review.  He does not wear livery.

Valet--Valets are generally kept by single gentlemen and elderly gentlemen.  A butler may act as a valet for a single man.  A valet brushes his master's clothes, cleans his boots, carries up the water for his bath, puts out his clothes for dressing, shaves him if necessary, assists him in dressing, packs and unpacks his clothes when traveling.  He also loads his rifle when shooting, stands behind his master's chair at dinner, waits at his breakfast and luncheon, attends to the master's wardrobe and sees that everything is in repair and order.  A valet to an elderly gentleman attends to his health needs also, and may sleep in the room with his master.  He does not wear livery.

Butler--The butler is the head of his department and responsible for the performance of those under him (the footmen).  He has usually served his apprenticeship in domestic service, slowly working his way up the hierarchy.  His responsibilities increase with the size of his establishment.  He is in charge of the plate chest and makes sure it is properly cleaned before use.  He keeps accounts of the wine handed out and consumed by the household.  He decants the wine for luncheon and dinner, and puts away decanters after each meal.  He also bottles wine, and country butlers brew beer.  A butler takes over the valet's duty when there isn't one in the household.  A butler announces visitors during the afternoon hours.  He readies rooms for use every day, as well as tidies them.  In households with only one footman, the butler assumes some of the pantry work. 

SENIOR SERVANTS

Coachman--His duties vary depending on the number of footmen employed, and whether or not there is a second-coachman on staff.  In families with more than one coachman, the head coachman drives a pair of horses and the second coachman drives one horse.  Nightwork is the duty of the second coachman.  The head coachman supervises those under him (second coachman and grooms), and sees that the horses are properly fed and taken care of.  He also has charge of the the stables and is responsible for ordering supplies.  He assists the groom in cleaning the carriages and harness.    In some families, coachmen have their meals with the servants.  In others, they have their own rooms in the stables.

Head Gardener--The head gardener is in charge of the hot-houses, green-houses and conservatories on the estate.  He supervises the rest of the gardeners, their number depending on the size of the gardens.  

UNDER SERVANTS

Footman--A typical day for a footman is the following routine: He takes coals to the sitting-room, cleans the boots, trims the lamp wicks, cleans the plate, lays the breakfast table, carries in breakfast, waits at breakfast, removes breakfast, answers the door in the morning after 12 o'clock, delivers notes, lays the luncheon table, takes in and waits luncheon, clears the table and cleans the silver, lays the dinner table, goes out with the carriage in the afternoon, attends to fires throughout the day and evening, prepares table for tea, cleans up after tea, waits at dinner, clears the dinner table, helps clean the plate, washes the glass and silver used at dinner, takes in coffee and dessert after dinner, waits in attendance in front hall when dinner guests are leaving, attends to the gentlemen in the smoking room, attends to lighting in the house at dusk, goes out with the carriage in the evening and valets the young gentlemen in the family.  Footmen dress in livery.  When one footman is employed, the butler assists in his duties.  When two footmen are kept in lieu of a butler and footman, the head footman assumes the duties of the butler.  When two or three footmen are kept with a butler, the head footman is called an under-butler, although he remains in livery.  

Groom--He attends to the horses and exercises them.  He cleans the carriages and harness, and feeds the horses.  He also readies the stables for the master's inspection each morning.   

Depending on the number of servants kept in an establishment, these duties often blend with one another.  

PAUL WHITE
PHOTOGRAPHY
click to access website
I am very grateful to Paul White for permission to use these photos of the now derelict Baron Hill.

Multi-million pound bid to save
Baron Hill stately home

16th August 2008 by Owen R Hughes, Daily Post

A MULTI-MILLION pound bid to turn one of the great lost homes of Wales into luxury apartments has been submitted.

Baron Hill, the former stately home of the Bulkeley family, would be turned into luxury apartments under a partnership between the Watkin Jones Group, Sir Richard Williams-Bulkeley and the Baron Hill Estate.

The North Wales developer has now lodged the application to build 43 apartments in the massive restoration and redevelopment project at the Grade II listed building outside Beaumaris. If completed it would be one of the most ambitious and luxurious developments ever seen on Anglesey.

Sir Richard said: "We are at last chance saloon now before the house reaches a stage from which it would never recover from. The family is very pleased at the plans and excited at this development, which will return the appearance of the home back to how it was once was.
"We have had previous attempts to develop the property but they have come to nothing and I think time is now running out. This would also be very good news for jobs locally and be good for the whole economy. I am hopeful that the planning application will now be approved."

Originally built in 1618 for the Bulkeley family, Baron Hill was remodelled into the Neo-Palladian style in 1776 by the architect Samuel Wyatt for the 7th Viscount of Bulkeley, who was also the first and last Baron of Beaumaris.

It remained the Bulkeley family home until the 1920s, when they moved to more modest accommodation and the mansion was then used for storage.When the Second World War broke out, the Government requisitioned it and it was used as a billet for Polish soldiers.

Over the years the house and associated outbuildings have become derelict and now stands roofless and overgrown by trees.

Sir Richard added: "After the war lead was stolen from the parapets which really contributed to its downfall. It is now roofless but we can still preserve much of its original appearance."

Jeff St Paul, development manager with Watkin Jones, said: "Watkin Jones Group is working closely with Sir Richard Williams-Bulkeley and the Baron Hill Estate on a scheme to restore the derelict house."

Discussions have been held with planning officers from Anglesey council and heritage group Cadw.

A spokesman for Beaumaris Chamber of Trade said: "This is very good news for the town of Beaumaris and would provide a major boost for the town and its shops, which are struggling.

"It is far better to have a development of this type there rather than a derelict building and inaccessible grounds. I welcome this scheme and hope that it progresses."